Live blog: Exeter v Bantams (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Normally a draw at Exeter would be a good result, but in our position we have quite simply got to win. Let's be prepared to take risks and gamble, knowing that come the final whistle, we had done everything to try and win the game.

Exeter without their first team midfield today. Time to be adventurous in midfield and going forward today. What say you Parky?

Good luck today City

Might go belly up but I won't be moaning as at least he is having a go and trying to make things happen. Good luck city COME ON YOU BANTAMS

It doesn't matter what team is put out couldn't score in a month of Saturdays! In PP we shouldn't trust.
Still 45 minutes to put it right!

Might shut up all the Connell dillusionists who think our fortunes will change if he starts. Problem is we have to change the whole shape to fit him in. 45 to salvage season otherwise a long drive home.

Sounds like Duke at fault for both goals.
Another inspired decision from our esteemed manager to drop McLaughlin.

Sounds like Duke at fault for both goals.
Another inspired decision from our esteemed manager to drop McLaughlin.

taxi for Duke . .. .. thinking about taxi for Parkinson also as he was employed to improve the team. .. .and we aren't are we? I hope the chairmen don't risk bankrupting the club to keep him. Rant over. CTID

Devonitely season over.

Taxi for PP - what an awful selection

Who says we are better than last year absolute rubbish and no plan B or C

not good enough by a long long way perhaps Parky is rushing back to sign the contract now as the offer may be withdrawn after this defeat

bahamianbantam wrote:
Devonitely season over.

Taxi for PP - what an awful selection

Who says we are better than last year absolute rubbish and no plan B or C

Totally agree but we did get to wembley so that makes it alright.
NOT !

forget wembley this season has been poor again,why get nelson and gray both have made team worse we needed a goal scoring midfielder not two donkeys in parky we do not trust

forget wembley this season has been poor again,why get nelson and gray both have made team worse we needed a goal scoring midfielder not two donkeys in parky we do not trust

I see our "forwards" are backwards again. If Parky was a decent manager, he would have susses this out over a YEAR ago. Hanson should be back at the Co-op

Oh well, there is always next season!

Maybe Phil Parkinson needs another pre season as suggested after our terrible season last season..!!

or perhaps the directors are considering their rotation policy having watched another dismal performance against a team with a poor ground, poor resources for a manger who know show to get the best out of his players and ,remember please, they had four first team mid fielders not available

fantam wrote:
I see our "forwards" are backwards again. If Parky was a decent manager, he would have susses this out over a YEAR ago. Hanson should be back at the Co-op

I agree. In fact we not got much Better to replace him!
Andy Gray says it all!
Think a new manager might be required as Parky will be pig headed and have Gray in his plans for next season rather than get rid like most managers would!
Cannot judge Connell on one game.
Other strikers have had all season.
I would bring in a first choice keeper,
Let Davis go to save wages, get another midfielder with an eye for goal,
Get 2 new front men and off load Hanson.
Mr Wells your not as good as you thought you was so get back to form or would not be bothered if you went in the summer to.

Birky_Neil wrote:

fantam wrote:
I see our "forwards" are backwards again. If Parky was a decent manager, he would have susses this out over a YEAR ago. Hanson should be back at the Co-op

I agree. In fact we not got much Better to replace him!
Andy Gray says it all!
Think a new manager might be required as Parky will be pig headed and have Gray in his plans for next season rather than get rid like most managers would!
Cannot judge Connell on one game.
Other strikers have had all season.
I would bring in a first choice keeper,
Let Davis go to save wages, get another midfielder with an eye for goal,
Get 2 new front men and off load Hanson.
Mr Wells your not as good as you thought you was so get back to form or would not be bothered if you went in the summer to.

Werent Hanson and Connell first choice stickers at the start of the season?

How fickle are some "fabs" You will have been spanking your monkey over PP not so long ago. Do you think changing the manager every two minutes is the answer. Get back to playing your playstation games

In these 'days' of short memories and ungrateful boards of directors eg the sacking of McDermott at Reading and Adkins at Southampton, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised to read fans writing 'taxi for 'PP'' but it is just as inappropriate as in the former two cases!!

Okay, the League form has been very disappointing and we ARE going to be in this division for at least another year, but let's NOT 'throw out the baby with the bath water'!

We've had amazing, never to be forgotten season and we DO have a group of players who are the basis for getting out of this league. Yes, we need a few more additions, but with 'PP' we have a good chance of making it ...next year.

And, if 'PP' is prepared to sign, he 'deserves' the chance to try again in 2013/4.

I

Cityman23 wrote:
In these 'days' of short memories and ungrateful boards of directors eg the sacking of McDermott at Reading and Adkins at Southampton, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised to read fans writing 'taxi for 'PP'' but it is just as inappropriate as in the former two cases!!

Okay, the League form has been very disappointing and we ARE going to be in this division for at least another year, but let's NOT 'throw out the baby with the bath water'!

We've had amazing, never to be forgotten season and we DO have a group of players who are the basis for getting out of this league. Yes, we need a few more additions, but with 'PP' we have a good chance of making it ...next year.

And, if 'PP' is prepared to sign, he 'deserves' the chance to try again in 2013/4.

I

why?

Nelson, Gray are a waste of money.

We have been Sh!te since 26.12.12.

Falling down the league, 18th here we come, how we've missed you.

Where to start with the managerial decisions at exeter today! PP takes an absolute age to bring more striking force on (Nahki) and then finally decides to put him on, only to tell him to sit down when we score what can only be described as a scrappy fumble fluke! With city back in the game and pressing really hard, more pressure from the strikers quite clearly would have yield more goals, but in typical PP fashion its only when Exeter score a third, the ballon is deflated and city are out the game with 8 mins to go, does he decide to play more attacking. Poor, VERY poor! on a game that 2-2 would have been harsh against city.

I think it pays to remember last season, think about this season carefully and also look for some stability.

Last year, was for me awful. For the first time ever I really wondered how much more dross I could take. Taylor was awful and we had loads of loan signings who were never going to be part of our future. A few Man U youngsters who may play a game or 2 then go back. No looking forwards. If we are all honest , there was a real chance of going out of the league.

Parky stopped the rot and kept us up- First job done. He also brought in some good players.

This Year a League Cup Final - for me I will never forget the cup run and the final, something I thought I would never see. So you have to give Parky credit for that.

We now have players like Meredith, Mc Hugh (I think he will go far) Mc Cardle , Doyle. Oh his day Hines- though a bit more consistency would help.

There have been some awful injury problems too (Davies, Big Luke, Egan, Meredith,.....)

I agree with a lot of the other comments though.

We should have played more "up field". We should have attacked more in many games before we conceded. There has been a lack of goals from the wingers and midfield. When we lost Davies/ Luke etc..I thought Parky was asking the midfield to help out younger players at the back. Why this has continued of late is very odd.

However, we do have a lot more cash (I think Mr Lawn is playing this down a bit - I probably would too!) , we have had a great cup run and I think there is much to build on.

I hope we keep some of the younger talent and find some goals from a new striker or box to box Bryan Robson (Div 4 equivalent!) type player.

If we do I think next year can be very positive.

I do think Gray was an odd buy. He has never been a top scorer even in his early days at City. I wonder if the real targets could be signed and Gray was a second choice.

I am not in favour of chopping and changing each year.

Cityman23 wrote:
In these 'days' of short memories and ungrateful boards of directors eg the sacking of McDermott at Reading and Adkins at Southampton, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised to read fans writing 'taxi for 'PP'' but it is just as inappropriate as in the former two cases!!

Okay, the League form has been very disappointing and we ARE going to be in this division for at least another year, but let's NOT 'throw out the baby with the bath water'!

We've had amazing, never to be forgotten season and we DO have a group of players who are the basis for getting out of this league. Yes, we need a few more additions, but with 'PP' we have a good chance of making it ...next year.

And, if 'PP' is prepared to sign, he 'deserves' the chance to try again in 2013/4.

I

You're wasting your breath. Idiots on here

Well i have said it before and will again. We are not good enough to go up.But it is no good bickering what needs doing now is careful thought.to so where we have gone wrong and put it right.City have some decent players now and a team can be built to get us promoted. I believe Mr Parkinson is a good manager but some times even the best do not always get it right. so give him a bit more time he is i am sure as unhappy as we all are but football can be a funny game you do not always get what you aim for..Let us not abuse the manager he his doing his best so let us stay together and back our Club KEEP THE FAITH WITH CITY PLEASE

Cannot believe people are calling for PP to go. Thats ludicrous given the major achievement that was wembley...how fickle some of you are. We need STABILITY....and PP deserves a 2 year contract....then next season we might just spend our 7th and final season in this god-awful division!!!

We are good enough the cup run proves this My thoughts before the season started we're that mid table was our limit and regret I was right How can a team who beat Arsenal Villa and Wigan lose to the mighty Exeter Wimbledon etc Maybe somebody should enlighten the fans BEFORE buying season tickets

What is the problem with the average City fan. Full of praise when we win and get rid of the manager when we lose. Not much sense from most of the people on here. We lost a game again that we should have won today small margins I'm afraid. But like last year? Get a reality check I couldn't see where the points were gonna come from to save us last year. This is a greatly different City team and I for one will keep the faith with both City and PP. City till I die.

Disappointed with the result but lets not panic. I knew all along Wembley would be the death knell for out season with regards to promotion. Some said we should go all out for the once in a lifetime experience and forget promotion, personally I wanted promotion but did enjoy the Wembley experience. As such I cannot blame the team or manager for how out season is now unravelling. We do have the nucleus of a good team, we have seen it especially in the cup run. We need to stick together and keep behind parky, he will get it right. Those calling for a taxi are the same ones calling for Stuart to go and where did that take us? We need to build and a lot if this team is ours not loans so with a few astute signings we can start that process.

With views on today it looks like duke has cost us with a couple of bad mistakes, the problem is Jon mac isn't much better and both keepers are prone to mistakes. We need to address this next season and personally I would look for two better keepers. In the Short term jon mac has to play until he has his shocker which will come. Roll in next season :)

yorkiebantam wrote:
What is the problem with the average City fan. Full of praise when we win and get rid of the manager when we lose. Not much sense from most of the people on here. We lost a game again that we should have won today small margins I'm afraid. But like last year? Get a reality check I couldn't see where the points were gonna come from to save us last year. This is a greatly different City team and I for one will keep the faith with both City and PP. City till I die.

"What is the problem with the average City fan" so your obviously NOT THE AVERAGE CITY FAN you are superiour to anyone who might just think our form since 26.12.12. is relegation form and if it were not for the great Capital Cup run Phil Parkinson would be seriously on the line, he told us after Wembley we had 15 Cup Finals to play and we would be going for it (I assume by that he would set the team up to go for wins) rather than not to get beat as IMO he did gain today at Exeter, from your post above you seem happy that we should improve on our last seasons 18th position even though his brief was promotion either auto or through the play offs and he's failed but what the hell lets keep the faith,I've been keeping the faith for over 55 years now and just wish a manager who has had every thing he wanted from our board could do what the board employed him to do..!!

That should have read "Capital Cup run Phil Parkinsons job would be seriously on the line"

The only thing that has let pp down since wembley is his team selections I think he said sumat like trust me I know what I'm doing well looks like youve shot yourself in the foot kid, so what now yes we got to wembley bloody miracle and probably won't happen ever again for a league 2 team in a propa cup comp so what does lawn do sign him for another 2years on Mega money coz he got us to wembley then we start off next season like the rest fans want his head financial disaster rather me than lawn good luck lawn you will need it what Eva happens I was at wembley yes we got stuffed but who cares

thats it for another season ...would need 7 wins from 9 now ..and we cant score goals ( too much tinkering up front doesnt help ) .. and most of the run in is against the top clubs who can ...

my last game at VP this Tue coming .... im going to put my money into 2 season tickets for next year ...

and that has come about from the Cup run ... but i can only suffer 1 season of watching such low quality stuff ...

Got to be going for auto promotion next year ...

playing 1 way ...aiming to score more goals than the opponents rather than aiming to concede less than the opponent ...as that is how you arrive at being as toothless as we have ..

O dear, another defeat for the Walley Paraders,

nowt fresh wrote:

yorkiebantam wrote:
What is the problem with the average City fan. Full of praise when we win and get rid of the manager when we lose. Not much sense from most of the people on here. We lost a game again that we should have won today small margins I'm afraid. But like last year? Get a reality check I couldn't see where the points were gonna come from to save us last year. This is a greatly different City team and I for one will keep the faith with both City and PP. City till I die.

"What is the problem with the average City fan" so your obviously NOT THE AVERAGE CITY FAN you are superiour to anyone who might just think our form since 26.12.12. is relegation form and if it were not for the great Capital Cup run Phil Parkinson would be seriously on the line, he told us after Wembley we had 15 Cup Finals to play and we would be going for it (I assume by that he would set the team up to go for wins) rather than not to get beat as IMO he did gain today at Exeter, from your post above you seem happy that we should improve on our last seasons 18th position even though his brief was promotion either auto or through the play offs and he's failed but what the hell lets keep the faith,I've been keeping the faith for over 55 years now and just wish a manager who has had every thing he wanted from our board could do what the board employed him to do..!!

To be fair to yorkie. He, imo is correct. It is impossible to separate the cup run from league (and other cups) and we were in a play off place before our cup run. And most fans were not criticising PP while the cup run was strong. You have been a fan for 55 years - respect, but surely you remember the days of 2/3000 at home?

Wembley was great!

Wembley aside we are no better then last year, who do we blame? the chairmen????

The only way PP wouldn't be City manager next season is if he decided to leave. The Chairmen know when they have a good manager and will do their best to keep him -within reason. PP will improve the team further during the close season, he knows the players who are effective and those who are not. We have gone through managers like a hot knife through butter but we need a manager to have 3-4 pre-seasons before we decide to change in my opinion. This has been the best season for very long while regardless of what appears to be failure to reach the play-offs. Anyone claiming otherwise is simply denying the facts.

The tantrums by some fans never ceases to amaze me, I have sympathy with some of their criticisms but to want to bring in another manager is immature.

To be fair we had a lot of possession today and good build up work despite the unfortunate first goal and sloppy second (ooh err). We were still the better team however once again clinical finishing was our undoing.

Exeter, when they did, went forward with purpose, moving, creating space, using it and scoring, whilst we lumped long balls, poor crosses and aimless runs towards goal whilst our finishing was frankly dreadfull, trying to run the ball into the net, refusing or at best being far too hesitant in shooting. Im sick of seeing the likes of Jones get the ball with time and space, take three touches, and finally line up a raster blaster, before striking the ball with 100% ferocity, only to see it trickle ten yards wide. As for Connell, a bogged down drenched heavy pitch is not exactly the ideal time to give a passing playmaker 90 minutes.

Hanson was typically workmanlike however producing the kind of output that would get a work experience boy the sack, whilst Thompson was enthusiastic and did well down the flank whilst producing a final product equivalent to that of, well, a spotty pre pubescant work experience boy. Will A is also a bit too lightweight and does not show the required league 2 blood and thunder during tackles for most 'get into im!' Fans.

On the plus side, we did have a lot of good possession in the middle third, we got under the roof only slightly after getting soaked in the pre match thunder storm, the bloke from the tea bar gave out about thirty unsold pies n pasties near the end and i didnt get my head kicked in wearing my scarf in the town centre by the murauding hoardes of baying west country bumpkins as warned in the press.

All in all, another splendidly expensive day (and night) out thoroughly enjoyed by the 251 travelling faithfull. I just hope that one day i will become a 'loyal' supporter deserving of any future allocated wembley ticket, or must i buy a Season Ticket or Flexi Card that i cannot justify buying (yes, im still bitter).

Despite the above drunken ramblings, PP should definitely stay and do some final tinkering with the team in the close season and next season we will cruise it no sweat. Short termism is no answer.

*
AT LAST some very sensible comments. Unfortunately some very poor comments too.
*
In the past I felt we had a Squad that started so well, at the beginning of This Season.
*
Then, those horrendous injuries occurred. Forcing major team selections and loan player introduction.
*
The Squad became motivated by The League Cup run. Football History has been achieved; This is not likely to happen again. It is now written into The Clubs History. To appear in every future program.
*
In football--as most experienced Supporters are wholly aware. Success and subsequent promotion--does NOT happen in ONE SEASON.
*
It takes time to build a Squad ( With quality back-up) -over several Seasons.( With good Management--and Lady Luck)
*
The idiotic madness on display today, for a change of Manager. Comes from totally inexperienced Supporters.Who feel aggrieved, and their rhetoric is completely misguided.
*
The trend today, to sack Managers after several lost matches, is a general cause for concern.It is a senseless and foolish practice; When a Squad are not achieving. ( Unless, it is a dressing room, total loss of confidence, in their Manager!)
*
I would like ALL Bradford City Supporters to reflect on their comments today.
Were they comments born out of depression ?. Because the Team that played --LOST !.
*
That is not what SUPPORT is deemed to mean. Support emotionally, support financially,support through the bad times, support during the good times. BUT SUPPORT--is your chosen right and loyalty to Bradford City AFC.
*
Tuesday and Saturday are TWO more very tough Home Matches.
The Team that plays WILL NEED YOUR WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT.
The Management will need your WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT.
*
There is STILL a very slim outside chance of Play-Offs--IF they win the next TWO matches.
BUT--are we ready for the possibility of a Promotion?.
Have we got a Squad and Back-Up to sustain a Promotion?.
*
Are Supporters ready for a Promotion--with ALL the attendant increases in COSTS !!!!!
We crave Promotion--but ALL the costs to incur --WILL INCREASE !!!.Can we ALL afford Promotion?.
*

Sober-up this morning, and give these comments some deep lateral thinking, about the future of THE CLUB YOU SUPPORT?. Consider your Loyalty to Bradford City AFC !
*
Do you really understand FOOTY ?? and ALL its attendant problems--matters we are ALL not aware of --behind the scenes--injuries being carried etc.etc.etc.
GIVE IT SOME WELLY!!!--In your own minds.

*

How does that saying go? We need the win and at 2-1 down. Let's go all out for it, we might as well lose 4-1 going for it rather than sit back and lose 2-1 and not go for it. We did just that. According to the commentry Exeter's 1st was a fluke and duke gifted the 2nd. 2-0 down against the run of play. 2nd half, ok, we fluked our goal but we could have had 4 or 5 if those missed chances had gone in. we murdered them in the second half and they only had 2 shots at goal and scored from both, again, against the run of play. Briefly reading some of the comments above, I can't believe that some of you are wanting Parky out just because of yesterdays result. I hope Parky does stay and sign as he is the man for me to take city forward. I'm still keeping the faith in the team and Parky. 9 games to play and 10pts off 7th with a game in hand. It can still be done, and until it's mathematically impossible, and the fat £itch is singing I will still keep the faith and believe. Yes, realistically it's over for another season.

Freddy wrote:
*
AT LAST some very sensible comments. Unfortunately some very poor comments too.
*
In the past I felt we had a Squad that started so well, at the beginning of This Season.
*
Then, those horrendous injuries occurred. Forcing major team selections and loan player introduction.
*
The Squad became motivated by The League Cup run. Football History has been achieved; This is not likely to happen again. It is now written into The Clubs History. To appear in every future program.
*
In football--as most experienced Supporters are wholly aware. Success and subsequent promotion--does NOT happen in ONE SEASON.
*
It takes time to build a Squad ( With quality back-up) -over several Seasons.( With good Management--and Lady Luck)
*
The idiotic madness on display today, for a change of Manager. Comes from totally inexperienced Supporters.Who feel aggrieved, and their rhetoric is completely misguided.
*
The trend today, to sack Managers after several lost matches, is a general cause for concern.It is a senseless and foolish practice; When a Squad are not achieving. ( Unless, it is a dressing room, total loss of confidence, in their Manager!)
*
I would like ALL Bradford City Supporters to reflect on their comments today.
Were they comments born out of depression ?. Because the Team that played --LOST !.
*
That is not what SUPPORT is deemed to mean. Support emotionally, support financially,support through the bad times, support during the good times. BUT SUPPORT--is your chosen right and loyalty to Bradford City AFC.
*
Tuesday and Saturday are TWO more very tough Home Matches.
The Team that plays WILL NEED YOUR WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT.
The Management will need your WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT.
*
There is STILL a very slim outside chance of Play-Offs--IF they win the next TWO matches.
BUT--are we ready for the possibility of a Promotion?.
Have we got a Squad and Back-Up to sustain a Promotion?.
*
Are Supporters ready for a Promotion--with ALL the attendant increases in COSTS !!!!!
We crave Promotion--but ALL the costs to incur --WILL INCREASE !!!.Can we ALL afford Promotion?.
*

Sober-up this morning, and give these comments some deep lateral thinking, about the future of THE CLUB YOU SUPPORT?. Consider your Loyalty to Bradford City AFC !
*
Do you really understand FOOTY ?? and ALL its attendant problems--matters we are ALL not aware of --behind the scenes--injuries being carried etc.etc.etc.
GIVE IT SOME WELLY!!!--In your own minds.

*

Well said Freddy m8.I still believe we can do it, but as you ask, can the club afford promotion? I think yes. If we by some miracle won promotion, then it will kick off a domino or knock- on effect. Promotion would mean more s/t sales, promotion money, the possible attraction of big money sponsors, better quality players coming in, possible live sky matches. It all adds up m8. This is why we HAVE to get out of this god forsaken Lg.

great writeup Aleximo,a true supporter and very realistic. Leave Parky alone and stop wingeing . when we make the play-off's, the City team will be scorching , wait and see. Up the City onwards and upwards for sure.

gary turner wrote:
great writeup Aleximo,a true supporter and very realistic. Leave Parky alone and stop wingeing . when we make the play-off's, the City team will be scorching , wait and see. Up the City onwards and upwards for sure.

are we talking about making the play offs this season or next. If this season I feel we need to win 8 or 9 games on the trot and that will not be possible with this squad which has little or no bite from midfield, is beginning to leak sloppy goals and seems unable to score with any regularity.

The signings made in January have added nothing better than we already had and may well have de-stabilised the whole situation.

tyker2 wrote:

gary turner wrote:
great writeup Aleximo,a true supporter and very realistic. Leave Parky alone and stop wingeing . when we make the play-off's, the City team will be scorching , wait and see. Up the City onwards and upwards for sure.

are we talking about making the play offs this season or next. If this season I feel we need to win 8 or 9 games on the trot and that will not be possible with this squad which has little or no bite from midfield, is beginning to leak sloppy goals and seems unable to score with any regularity.

The signings made in January have added nothing better than we already had and may well have de-stabilised the whole situation.

I still believe we can do it. Let's see what happens with the next 3 home games. If it doesn't happen, the I will hold up my hands and accept defeat. But until then I will still believe and keep the faith. and The fat $lag will still remain gagged. lol.

I fell it too late evenif we are fortunate to win the next three game

That is the side that should have started against Plymouth and aldershot, not away at promotion chasing Exeter. I do like parky but I hope he doesn't turn round now and say " told you it wouldn't work" and go back to normal.

Dancinfeet wrote:
That is the side that should have started against Plymouth and aldershot, not away at promotion chasing Exeter. I do like parky but I hope he doesn't turn round now and say " told you it wouldn't work" and go back to normal.

We HAVE to go all out attack from the start with 4-4-2. I mentioned this on f/b and got slated for it. I said that we should start with Connell and Wells upfront and bring on Hanson as an impact player. We have a squad of players good enough to play football on the ground. This target man stuff isn't working anymore. We all know that Jimmy H. is always Parky's 1st choice, but he needs now to try a different approach.

Lets get some perspective here, it is only top PREMIER league clubs that can manage a strong league and cup run. Not even the most die hard dishallusioned (not sure about that spelling) fan could have expected a MAJOR cup final and promotion. Would have been amazing, but come on. Given the option would we swap it all for promotion? Looking back now of course but that Saturday night before Wembley? All day Sunday on the motorway? Walking up wembley way? Not a chance in hell! What a season. Like I have said I do like parky and he has brought stability to the club. He has been a little unlucky with signings ie the guy from rochdale turning back on the motorway. So lets get behind them because I predict big things next season!

I thought it was a questionable decision to start with a 4-3-1-2, considering that with the exception of Dagenham away, it is a formation that hadn't worked for us this season. It relies on your full backs to get forward to provide some width, and that really isn't their game, particularly McHugh.

I think it was a set up designed to nullify Exeter, who caused us problems using that system in the home game.

Once again we've conceded some poor goals, and Duke should've done better for 3 of them.

We also lack a cutting edge, and if Wells is not scoring, it's difficult to see where the goals are going to come from. We desperately need to bring someone in next season who can take that burden away from him, and also to have a goalscoring threat from midfield.

It's just about winning as many games as we can now, and taking some momentum into next season, which unfortunately will be in league 2.

If the manager was to go what about John Coleman ex accrington and Rochdale ?

Joeycraig wrote:
If the manager was to go what about John Coleman ex accrington and Rochdale ?

I think that which ever manager we have, he will need luck, support and certainly more time than we have been giving our managers to date.

The likes of Coleman spent many years at Accy and was successful, he wasn't at Rochdale 5 minutes but was regarded as being a failure.

PP is only just finding his feet and is at the early stages of moulding not just the team of players he has, but all the surrounding support staff that contribute toward building a promotion team. It would be absolute stupidity to sack PP (or, as some prefer to play the game of semantics, to 'not offer a new contract'. I presume that makes them feel less guilt? -I roll my eyes!).

Anyway, those of you who want PP out should at least develop the process and explain to us how you would then go about achieving promotion next season with a new manager, who will have his own idea of how things should be done. Explain how long he should get to achieve promotion. Do we get shut after one season if we don't go up? If we don't expect him to get us promoted next season then why get so frustrated about not getting promoted this season and yet be prepared to wait at least 2 seasons for THAT promotion? Do we get shut of PP just so you can have your tantrums placated? Is there any real thought behind your suggestions? if so then lets hear it, if not then please stop being so boring and simplistic.

We have had the revolving door process of management now where is the evidence it has worked?

Well I for one hope the board stay strong and sign parky on for at least another season hopefully longer. In saying that it has to be affordable to the club and agree with John hendrie in that we pay him more as we hopefully climb the leagues. I believe that if we still have parky in five years we will be a strong championship side. In saying that we need commitment from him a strong board and like all successful clubs a little bit of lady luck. What we can't afford to do is sack him and pull ut all down to start again that would be sheer folly and not cost effective

lonniejockstrap wrote:

Joeycraig wrote:
If the manager was to go what about John Coleman ex accrington and Rochdale ?

I think that which ever manager we have, he will need luck, support and certainly more time than we have been giving our managers to date.

The likes of Coleman spent many years at Accy and was successful, he wasn't at Rochdale 5 minutes but was regarded as being a failure.

PP is only just finding his feet and is at the early stages of moulding not just the team of players he has, but all the surrounding support staff that contribute toward building a promotion team. It would be absolute stupidity to sack PP (or, as some prefer to play the game of semantics, to 'not offer a new contract'. I presume that makes them feel less guilt? -I roll my eyes!).

Anyway, those of you who want PP out should at least develop the process and explain to us how you would then go about achieving promotion next season with a new manager, who will have his own idea of how things should be done. Explain how long he should get to achieve promotion. Do we get shut after one season if we don't go up? If we don't expect him to get us promoted next season then why get so frustrated about not getting promoted this season and yet be prepared to wait at least 2 seasons for THAT promotion? Do we get shut of PP just so you can have your tantrums placated? Is there any real thought behind your suggestions? if so then lets hear it, if not then please stop being so boring and simplistic.

We have had the revolving door process of management now where is the evidence it has worked?

Excellent post lonnie. I think too many posters think we shold be allowed to win because we are the bigges club in this Div. In the real world however this desnt always occur

we have got 6 home games left and 3 away so lets get behind the lads at home and let us be the 12th man to get the 18 points at home .it is possible we got to believe in the team.

locky1667 wrote:

lonniejockstrap wrote:

Joeycraig wrote:
If the manager was to go what about John Coleman ex accrington and Rochdale ?

I think that which ever manager we have, he will need luck, support and certainly more time than we have been giving our managers to date.

The likes of Coleman spent many years at Accy and was successful, he wasn't at Rochdale 5 minutes but was regarded as being a failure.

PP is only just finding his feet and is at the early stages of moulding not just the team of players he has, but all the surrounding support staff that contribute toward building a promotion team. It would be absolute stupidity to sack PP (or, as some prefer to play the game of semantics, to 'not offer a new contract'. I presume that makes them feel less guilt? -I roll my eyes!).

Anyway, those of you who want PP out should at least develop the process and explain to us how you would then go about achieving promotion next season with a new manager, who will have his own idea of how things should be done. Explain how long he should get to achieve promotion. Do we get shut after one season if we don't go up? If we don't expect him to get us promoted next season then why get so frustrated about not getting promoted this season and yet be prepared to wait at least 2 seasons for THAT promotion? Do we get shut of PP just so you can have your tantrums placated? Is there any real thought behind your suggestions? if so then lets hear it, if not then please stop being so boring and simplistic.

We have had the revolving door process of management now where is the evidence it has worked?

Excellent post lonnie. I think too many posters think we shold be allowed to win because we are the bigges club in this Div. In the real world however this desnt always occur

I remember you putting PP's name forward before anyone else gave him a thought locky. We have been rewarded with a historic season that has not only put the Club and it's supporters in a positive light around the WORLD but it has forced the media to actually report on the City of Bradford in positive terms to the rest of the WORLD. In my eyes and many other reasonable supporters eyes, that goes down as being a season of progress. You are a true talent spotter.

macca1969 wrote:
Well I for one hope the board stay strong and sign parky on for at least another season hopefully longer. In saying that it has to be affordable to the club and agree with John hendrie in that we pay him more as we hopefully climb the leagues. I believe that if we still have parky in five years we will be a strong championship side. In saying that we need commitment from him a strong board and like all successful clubs a little bit of lady luck. What we can't afford to do is sack him and pull ut all down to start again that would be sheer folly and not cost effective

Apparently, PP gets paid on the basis of how many points he acquires. Read this on 'width of a post'. The posters on there are a bit more clued up than most supporters, however, I can't confirm how accurate this claim is. It would be interesting to know f this is actually true. Maybe Simon Parker has some idea?

Pre Wembley the T&A had a poll, what would people rather have, a cup final win or promotion? At the time I remember thinking that we may fall between two stools.

What we all need to do now is get behind the manager and support the team. Those calling for the managers head have sort memories. The last thing we need is to start the cycle all over again.

I still believe that we have the right man for the job and with better luck with injuries and without the distraction of a major cup final distorting the season we can do far better next year.

PP does need to learn. We are too predictable and don't have enough goal scoring options but I feel stability will bring better returns rather than constant chopping and changing of managers.

Well if thats true he wont have earnt a right lo since xmas lol

lonniejockstrap wrote:

Joeycraig wrote:
If the manager was to go what about John Coleman ex accrington and Rochdale ?

I think that which ever manager we have, he will need luck, support and certainly more time than we have been giving our managers to date.

The likes of Coleman spent many years at Accy and was successful, he wasn't at Rochdale 5 minutes but was regarded as being a failure.

PP is only just finding his feet and is at the early stages of moulding not just the team of players he has, but all the surrounding support staff that contribute toward building a promotion team. It would be absolute stupidity to sack PP (or, as some prefer to play the game of semantics, to 'not offer a new contract'. I presume that makes them feel less guilt? -I roll my eyes!).

Anyway, those of you who want PP out should at least develop the process and explain to us how you would then go about achieving promotion next season with a new manager, who will have his own idea of how things should be done. Explain how long he should get to achieve promotion. Do we get shut after one season if we don't go up? If we don't expect him to get us promoted next season then why get so frustrated about not getting promoted this season and yet be prepared to wait at least 2 seasons for THAT promotion? Do we get shut of PP just so you can have your tantrums placated? Is there any real thought behind your suggestions? if so then lets hear it, if not then please stop being so boring and simplistic.

We have had the revolving door process of management now where is the evidence it has worked?

Top post, bang on in every thing.

BEEN TO EVERY GAME SINCE PRE SEASON AT TADCASTER
ONLY MISSED ARSENAL AT HOME
( POORLEY) DONT HAVE E SEASN TICKET OR FLEXI CARD
BUT AM MORE LOYAL THAN 99% ON THIS SITE
WAS AT EXETER YESTERDAY WITH 251 LOYAL CITY FANS
MY POINT IS THAT I WONT GO TO ANOTHER GAME THIS SEASON AS IME SICK OF SPENDING MY WAGES WATCHING RUBBISH & HEARING EXCUSES AFTER EVERY GAME

bantam59 wrote:
BEEN TO EVERY GAME SINCE PRE SEASON AT TADCASTER
ONLY MISSED ARSENAL AT HOME
( POORLEY) DONT HAVE E SEASN TICKET OR FLEXI CARD
BUT AM MORE LOYAL THAN 99% ON THIS SITE
WAS AT EXETER YESTERDAY WITH 251 LOYAL CITY FANS
MY POINT IS THAT I WONT GO TO ANOTHER GAME THIS SEASON AS IME SICK OF SPENDING MY WAGES WATCHING RUBBISH & HEARING EXCUSES AFTER EVERY GAME

You sound very angry all that shouting in your post :-))

I am angry mate
same old excuses after each game
ie bad ref poor selections by parky
at the end of the day we are just not good enough to go up
its bottom half of table again

bantam59 wrote:
I am angry mate
same old excuses after each game
ie bad ref poor selections by parky
at the end of the day we are just not good enough to go up
its bottom half of table again

Can't argue with that bantam59 but I do think we will finish top half mate, some will say a Wembley Final more than makes up for our poor league form from 26.12.12 andmissing out on a play off at least, they are entitled to their opinion but as I said above I've seen more than my share of this Kahzi league and I would have prefered promotion (just waiting for the) well you would say that after Wembley, well no I did say that before Wembley,having said the above I will be purchasing two season ticket for next season for me and my grandson who I have transfused some Claret & Amber blood into his veins :-)).

nowt fresh wrote:

bantam59 wrote:
I am angry mate
same old excuses after each game
ie bad ref poor selections by parky
at the end of the day we are just not good enough to go up
its bottom half of table again

Can't argue with that bantam59 but I do think we will finish top half mate, some will say a Wembley Final more than makes up for our poor league form from 26.12.12 andmissing out on a play off at least, they are entitled to their opinion but as I said above I've seen more than my share of this Kahzi league and I would have prefered promotion (just waiting for the) well you would say that after Wembley, well no I did say that before Wembley,having said the above I will be purchasing two season ticket for next season for me and my grandson who I have transfused some Claret & Amber blood into his veins :-)).

I agree with most you say mate
but ive always said to my son
who is city fan
never mind Wembley
WE MUST GET OUT OF THIS LEAGUE
TOP PRIORITEY

7 wins from 9 needed ... I dont think they can do it ... but the 96 route to and through the play offs was equally unlikely ..

Its not Exeter away we should expect to win but the Plymouths away and Aldershots and Dagenhams that we have been so poor in ...

NorthernBull wrote:
7 wins from 9 needed ... I dont think they can do it ... but the 96 route to and through the play offs was equally unlikely ..

Its not Exeter away we should expect to win but the Plymouths away and Aldershots and Dagenhams that we have been so poor in ...

here here we need to win these 3 home games to have any outside chance

We should support city regardless of what league we are in. we have experienced much worse seasons recently. Promotion would have been nice, but we have to be realistic and admit there are simply much much better teams equipped for getting out of league 2 and that is something the club have not been able to get to grips with after 6 long seasons, mainly due to the turnover of management and playing personnel. Lets be happy with the priceless experiences we had with the cup this season. Me and my boy have our ST's for next season, bring it on

Stevie-C wrote:
We should support city regardless of what league we are in. we have experienced much worse seasons recently. Promotion would have been nice, but we have to be realistic and admit there are simply much much better teams equipped for getting out of league 2 and that is something the club have not been able to get to grips with after 6 long seasons, mainly due to the turnover of management and playing personnel. Lets be happy with the priceless experiences we had with the cup this season. Me and my boy have our ST's for next season, bring it on

I think we all do support city through thick and thin
but for the size of Bradford and our fan base we are better equipped than any team in this league but still linger around mid table YET AGAIN
and cup was great for all the fans but not the club as it as PROVED

bantam59 wrote:

Stevie-C wrote:
We should support city regardless of what league we are in. we have experienced much worse seasons recently. Promotion would have been nice, but we have to be realistic and admit there are simply much much better teams equipped for getting out of league 2 and that is something the club have not been able to get to grips with after 6 long seasons, mainly due to the turnover of management and playing personnel. Lets be happy with the priceless experiences we had with the cup this season. Me and my boy have our ST's for next season, bring it on

I think we all do support city through thick and thin
but for the size of Bradford and our fan base we are better equipped than any team in this league but still linger around mid table YET AGAIN
and cup was great for all the fans but not the club as it as PROVED

As The old saying goes, you can't have your cake and eat it.

Victor Clayton wrote:

bantam59 wrote:

Stevie-C wrote:
We should support city regardless of what league we are in. we have experienced much worse seasons recently. Promotion would have been nice, but we have to be realistic and admit there are simply much much better teams equipped for getting out of league 2 and that is something the club have not been able to get to grips with after 6 long seasons, mainly due to the turnover of management and playing personnel. Lets be happy with the priceless experiences we had with the cup this season. Me and my boy have our ST's for next season, bring it on

I think we all do support city through thick and thin
but for the size of Bradford and our fan base we are better equipped than any team in this league but still linger around mid table YET AGAIN
and cup was great for all the fans but not the club as it as PROVED

As The old saying goes, you can't have your cake and eat it.

"Cup was great but not for club" - are you serious?? I think the chairmen will disagree. The money gained has secured our immediate future, and will hopefully provide more investment next season for a team not only capable of flying through league 2, but also league 1

Stevie-C wrote:

Victor Clayton wrote:

bantam59 wrote:

Stevie-C wrote:
We should support city regardless of what league we are in. we have experienced much worse seasons recently. Promotion would have been nice, but we have to be realistic and admit there are simply much much better teams equipped for getting out of league 2 and that is something the club have not been able to get to grips with after 6 long seasons, mainly due to the turnover of management and playing personnel. Lets be happy with the priceless experiences we had with the cup this season. Me and my boy have our ST's for next season, bring it on

I think we all do support city through thick and thin
but for the size of Bradford and our fan base we are better equipped than any team in this league but still linger around mid table YET AGAIN
and cup was great for all the fans but not the club as it as PROVED

As The old saying goes, you can't have your cake and eat it.

"Cup was great but not for club" - are you serious?? I think the chairmen will disagree. The money gained has secured our immediate future, and will hopefully provide more investment next season for a team not only capable of flying through league 2, but also league 1

we will fly through league 2 and league 1 witch team you on about mate???????
It cant be Bradford city
GET REAL
if the board wanted to invest
they should of done it properly in January
oh I forgot we bought cart horse gray
never was any good
n never gunna be any good
END OF STORY

fantam wrote:
I see our "forwards" are backwards again. If Parky was a decent manager, he would have susses this out over a YEAR ago. Hanson should be back at the Co-op

i thought Hanson was our best player on saturday, he is 1 who does make an effort...playing Thompson with him, and connell not sure where to play was a shocker of a decision...Duke was at fault for the 2 goals..HInes was great for the 45 minutes he was given..had he started the result could have been different, Reid wasnt bad, but U should pick your best 11...PP didnt...end of season..and as yet, no improvement..Hanson would it in well, in my view, in quite a few teams..Arsenal defenders were scared of him...so wake up!

nowt fresh wrote:

bantam59 wrote:
BEEN TO EVERY GAME SINCE PRE SEASON AT TADCASTER
ONLY MISSED ARSENAL AT HOME
( POORLEY) DONT HAVE E SEASN TICKET OR FLEXI CARD
BUT AM MORE LOYAL THAN 99% ON THIS SITE
WAS AT EXETER YESTERDAY WITH 251 LOYAL CITY FANS
MY POINT IS THAT I WONT GO TO ANOTHER GAME THIS SEASON AS IME SICK OF SPENDING MY WAGES WATCHING RUBBISH & HEARING EXCUSES AFTER EVERY GAME

You sound very angry all that shouting in your post :-))

this person has every reason to be...£21 at exeter to sit...but its whats on show...£72 at wembley...we didnt play...PP isnt paying MY wages...I work only 3 days per week..I also live 240 miles from VP...i couldnt do both Devon games-finances!! but we are served "rubbish"...we should be winning and we arent...we arent even creating chances...and we DO listen to excuses...it was a long trip for faithful supporters...they didnt expect to leave empty handed...we were poor

pudseykid wrote:

fantam wrote: I see our "forwards" are backwards again. If Parky was a decent manager, he would have susses this out over a YEAR ago. Hanson should be back at the Co-op

i thought Hanson was our best player on saturday, he is 1 who does make an effort...playing Thompson with him, and connell not sure where to play was a shocker of a decision...Duke was at fault for the 2 goals..HInes was great for the 45 minutes he was given..had he started the result could have been different, Reid wasnt bad, but U should pick your best 11...PP didnt...end of season..and as yet, no improvement..Hanson would it in well, in my view, in quite a few teams..Arsenal defenders were scared of him...so wake up!

OK Pudsey, apart from Wells, name me one other good striking partnership Hanson has had since being at city?

bantam59 wrote:

Stevie-C wrote:

Victor Clayton wrote:

bantam59 wrote:

Stevie-C wrote:
We should support city regardless of what league we are in. we have experienced much worse seasons recently. Promotion would have been nice, but we have to be realistic and admit there are simply much much better teams equipped for getting out of league 2 and that is something the club have not been able to get to grips with after 6 long seasons, mainly due to the turnover of management and playing personnel. Lets be happy with the priceless experiences we had with the cup this season. Me and my boy have our ST's for next season, bring it on

I think we all do support city through thick and thin
but for the size of Bradford and our fan base we are better equipped than any team in this league but still linger around mid table YET AGAIN
and cup was great for all the fans but not the club as it as PROVED

As The old saying goes, you can't have your cake and eat it.

"Cup was great but not for club" - are you serious?? I think the chairmen will disagree. The money gained has secured our immediate future, and will hopefully provide more investment next season for a team not only capable of flying through league 2, but also league 1

we will fly through league 2 and league 1 witch team you on about mate???????
It cant be Bradford city
GET REAL
if the board wanted to invest
they should of done it properly in January
oh I forgot we bought cart horse gray
never was any good
n never gunna be any good
END OF STORY

The board obviously thought we had enough strength in depth to not bring in many signings in January, along with other players scheduled to come back from injury. What they did not foresee, however, was how jaded the players would be once they approached/passed the 50 game mark. Anyway, note I said "we will HOPEFULLY assemble a winning team..." so there(!) I know it is frustrating but thats we we love city :-)

bantam59 wrote:
BEEN TO EVERY GAME SINCE PRE SEASON AT TADCASTER ONLY MISSED ARSENAL AT HOME ( POORLEY) DONT HAVE E SEASN TICKET OR FLEXI CARD BUT AM MORE LOYAL THAN 99% ON THIS SITE WAS AT EXETER YESTERDAY WITH 251 LOYAL CITY FANS MY POINT IS THAT I WONT GO TO ANOTHER GAME THIS SEASON AS IME SICK OF SPENDING MY WAGES WATCHING RUBBISH & HEARING EXCUSES AFTER EVERY GAME

Will you start attending again next year if we start well? If so doesnt that make you as bad as the 20,000 city fans lost at sea since Wembely?

timetobeproud wrote:

bantam59 wrote:
BEEN TO EVERY GAME SINCE PRE SEASON AT TADCASTER ONLY MISSED ARSENAL AT HOME ( POORLEY) DONT HAVE E SEASN TICKET OR FLEXI CARD BUT AM MORE LOYAL THAN 99% ON THIS SITE WAS AT EXETER YESTERDAY WITH 251 LOYAL CITY FANS MY POINT IS THAT I WONT GO TO ANOTHER GAME THIS SEASON AS IME SICK OF SPENDING MY WAGES WATCHING RUBBISH & HEARING EXCUSES AFTER EVERY GAME

Will you start attending again next year if we start well? If so doesnt that make you as bad as the 20,000 city fans lost at sea since Wembely?

NO IT WONT MAKE ME A WEMBLEY FAN AS IE BEEN WATCHING US SINCE 1970 THROUGH THIN AND THIN WE HAVE BEEN IN THIS LEAGUE 2 LONGER THAN ANY OTHER TEAM BAR ACCY STANLEY
AND THAT FOR ME IS PURE RUBBISH